Dylan Thomas School

THE CURRICULUM OF OUR SCHOOL At Dylan Thomas Community School the curriculum covers everything that is taught and learned at our school. This includes all activities that contribute towards the intellectual, social, cultural, spiritual, moral and physical development of our pupils.

Our Vision: Byw yn y gymuned, Dysgu yn y gymuned, Cyflawni fel cymuned Living as a community, Learning as a community, Achieving as a community

At Dylan Thomas Community School the curriculum has a clear focus on the process of learning and places the child at the centre of that process.

It is the school’s policy to keep the classes in which children are taught as small as possible.

Mission Statement of our School A small school at the heart of our community which adds value to young people’s lives.

Additional time is allocated for all pupils for the teaching of the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science.

The aims of our school are:

Pupils who experience difficulties in literacy are supported by staff from the Literacy Centre whilst sharing in the full curriculum provided for all in ways that match their individual needs and levels of development.

Providing a pleasant, safe and attractive learning environment.

Equipping your children with a love of learning and knowledge of how to learn and how to improve their learning.

Ensuring that your children receive a high quality education so that they will achieve their full potential.

During the first three years, pupils study the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Technology, History, Geography, Welsh, Spanish, Art, Music, R.E., Physical Education, PSE and Drama.

Treating your children as individuals so that they gain confidence in themselves and enjoy being part of the school community.

Providing a caring, respectful and inclusive community so that all of our pupils learn to respect individual differences and develop a social conscience.

In Years 10 and 11 all pupils study English, Media Studies, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Humanities (including R.E.), Personal and Social Education, Welsh and P.E.

Promoting our achievements and hard work so that the community can take pride in its young people.

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Additionally, pupils are able to choose four option subjects which include Art, Catering, Accountancy, Electronics, Statistics, Performing Arts, Public Services, Technology, Textiles and Physical Education.

In the teaching of the school curriculum, a

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES:

range of methods are deployed, from We are very fortunate as a school in having excellent facilities including two multi-gyms and a large Sports Hall. We have a separate gymnasium. Our school fields and play areas are extensive and we host many sporting fixtures for both our own school and others.

formal, whole class teaching to group work and personalised learning, with the overriding aim of supporting our pupils towards attaining the highest level of

Our Sporting aims are as follows:

individual achievement.

Through sport, contribute towards a greater understanding of the effects of exercise on the body, Religious Education is taught throughout the school and follows the syllabus that is agreed through the Local Education Standing Advisory Committee (SACRE). Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE and Assemblies and should contact the Head teacher in order to do so.

thereby promoting the beneficial effects of exercise.

For pupils to be physically active in lessons, engaging in activities involving the whole body, to maintain flexibility and develop strength and endurance.

Assemblies and Collective Worship play an important role in developing the personal, social, moral and spiritual qualities of our pupils and we therefore plan them with due care. Whole School and Year Assemblies are planned into our annual cycle and our themes are planned with sensitivity to the cultures and faiths that are represented in our school. A school prayer has been composed by pupils at our school which is as follows;

To provide opportunities in which pupils can work individually and with others, whether in pairs, small groups or full teams.

Thereby encouraging self-motivation, confidence, co-operation, teamwork, reliability and responsibility.

Dear God, We thank you for our school and pray that it may be a place where we can make the most of each opportunity.

Sometimes things go wrong though I know I must be strong. but then again life is a test in which we all must do our best.

In everything we say and do we make this prayer a thanks to you.

This prayer is read during the collective worship part of assembly each day.

Learn to solve problems, evaluate actions and modify responses to achieve intended results.

Be aware of good practices, body positioning and be given opportunities to consolidate and improve skill appreciation through repetition.

Develop awareness and encourage the use of language and terminology, relevant to each activity covered thereby improving pupils’ key skills.

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Become aware of, appreciate and conform to the principles of safe practices, including personal hygiene.

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Guest Speakers Keeping In Touch

Site Visits

Local Businesses Work Experience

Community

Partnership

Progress File

Transition

PSE Timetabling

WRE

School 14-19 Curriculum ELiS

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Post 16

Teacher Co-ordinator.

STF

We work closely with Careers Wales West who provide considerable support for this programme including a Careers Officer who supports and guides pupils in their decision-making processes. We are also beginning to build links with local businesses, industries and organisations and to create partnerships in which pupils can benefit from mentoring and other enriching opportunities.

NEATH COLLEGE

closely monitored by the

SWANSEA COLLEGE

Work Experience that is

SWANSEA COLLEGE

opportunity to undertake

GORSEINON COLLEGE

the

CWW

have

Outside Agencies

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Mock Interviews

We work closely with Career Wales West who provide considerable support for this programme including a Careers officer who supports and guides pupils in their decision making processes. We are also continuing to build links with local businesses, industries and organisations and to create partnerships in which pupils can benefit from mentoring and enriching opportunities. As part of mentoring approaches, particular advice is offered in terms of learning coaching.

OCN

Diagrammatic Illustration of Work Related Education

Option Choices

Careers Education is co-ordinated by the Teacher in charge of Careers, Business and Work Related Education.

Year

Work Experience

Liaison with Careers Advisor

Sex Education is taught by the Form Tutor as part of our Personal, Social, Health Education programme (PSHE). As Tutors know the pupils well they deliver the curriculum in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the pupils, encouraging the asking of questions and aiming to ensure that pupils have the information they need to make safe and moral decisions.

Parents may view our Sex Education Policy upon request.

Further information regarding the school’s curriculum, teaching method

SWANSEA COLLEGE:

and organisation can be found in the school’s policy for the Whole

We maintain close links with the college in order to ensure that our pupils are fully aware of all the opportunities that are on offer to them when they leave Dylan Thomas.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning.

Every pupil is an individual and our pupils come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The school, therefore, places pupils into teaching groups

In addition, we use the expertise of Swansea College to help to enrich our curriculum at Key Stage 4 by providing some of the more vocationally based courses including accountancy and public services. We strive to enable individual pupils to plan a route through the Key Stage 4 curriculum that is broad, balanced and recognises their individual needs and talents, Swansea College helps us to achieve this.

according to their needs and potential. Our timetable organisation enables us to have considerable flexibility over teaching groups and we operate a system that enables us to match the needs of pupils and the curriculum. The faculties largely determine these groups.

If you have a concern or complaint please refer to the school’s complaints policy which is available on request from the school.

We hope to create partnerships with Swansea University and other educational institutions as the school develops and thereby raise our pupils’ aspirations.

Any general queries or concerns should be made to Tutors, Heads of Year or Key Stage Co-ordinators.

PARTNERSHIPS PRIMARY SCHOOLS

DESTINATION OF SCHOOL LEAVERS:

As a Community School we work to create close links with our partner primary schools and through this process ensure that children’s education continues to progress.

Below is a Pie Chart depicting what pupils do after leaving Dylan Thomas.

We have a large proportion of pupils - 67% in total - who progress onto Further Education courses, including ‘A’ Levels and Vocational Training.

Liaison between all the schools takes place throughout the year and includes a regular series of visits and joint events.

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DEVELOPING THE WHOLE PERSON AT OUR SCHOOL

PUPIL PROFILE

Dylan Thomas Community School is a place where children can feel safe and happy.

Pupils can only achieve their best when they are secure and feel valued by the people around them.

Name: Year:

10

All pupils belong to a mixed Tutor Group under the care of a Form Tutor.

Favourite Subjects:

Drama & English Literature

Extra Curricular Activities:

Saxophone Lessons, School Choir, Duke of Edinburgh Award

Rebecca Fry

Achievements: Year 7 Gifted & Talented Target Group Year 8 GCSE Welsh Grade A Year 10 AS Level Welsh Year 11 Rebecca is hoping to study ‘A’ Level Welsh

The overall guidance is the responsibility of the Head of Year who has responsibility for the academic and social progress of the pupils within the year group. We place high value on the role of the form tutor and this member of staff plays a vital role ensuring the overall well-being of our pupils.

As a school we pride ourselves upon the range of support offered to remove potential barriers to learning.

Our innovative and successful Behaviour for Learning support team encourage pupils to overcome any emotional and social problems they may have, while the school is firm in stopping bullying and encourages a climate of “telling” to give children confidence that they will be listened to and supported.

University

Career Choice:

Teaching

English as an Additional Language Dylan Thomas Community School has a number of students for whom English is an additional language. We support such students by using specialist staff from the EMLAS team and our general policy is to support such students in the mainstream curriculum. We value the diversity of our student population and the richness this adds to our community.

Additional Learning Needs There are two specialist teaching facilities at Dylan Thomas Community School. The Specialist Teaching Facility for pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties has been an integral part of the school since it opened in 2001.

The newly built Derek Roberts Centre provides an education for children who are identified as having additional learning needs associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Pupils who experience difficulties in their learning are supported by a variety of strategies. We have a considerable number of Teaching Assistants who work in classrooms and we carefully track the progress of all of our pupils ensuring that we meet their needs. We take care to ensure that we fully meet the needs of pupils who are very able, for whom English is an additional language and for those who need intensive support. We have a Literacy Centre that is staffed full-time by a Literacy Co-ordinator and assistants; staff have qualifications to teach children with dyslexia and two other staff provide intensive literacy tutoring through the centre.

Ambition:

Bilingualism in the School Dylan Thomas is a multilingual school with at least 20 languages being spoken. A complete list is available from the EAL department on request.

Dylan Thomas is an English medium school, all of the feeder schools are English medium schools and Welsh is taught as a second language throughout.. Welsh is a compulsory subject in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. All of our pupils have the opportunity to take external examinations in Welsh as well as other languages.

One of the main aims of the school is to promote bilingualism amongst the pupils. Estyn has introduced bilingualism into the inspection to meet the requirements of the National Assembly.

We aim to:

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Improve the attitude of pupils in both languages.

Encourage pupils to use their bilingual skills and improve them.

Ensure that pupils are aware why they learn Welsh.

Ensure that pupils are aware that bilingualism will broaden their horizons and that learning languages promotes intellectual development.

Inclusion Policy for Pupils with Additional Learning Needs Equal Opportunities and Disabled Pupils

The means by which the school upholds the principles and practice enshrined in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Wales and the Disability and Discrimination Act 2001, is through the Inclusion Policy for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).

At Dylan Thomas Community School we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for disabled pupils, staff and all those receiving services from the school. Our approach reflects the social model of disability, which sees society and its structures as disabling individuals rather than the ‘problem’ lying with the disabled person and their impairment.

We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which people feel free to disclose their disability and to participate fully in school life. The achievement of disabled pupils and students will be monitored and we will use this data to raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure that the school environment is as accessible as possible. We believe that diversity is a strength, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit here.

Our school is fully accessible to children with disabilities and we are proud of our inclusive practice. We maintain vigilance to ensure that we continue to provide equal opportunities for all.

This policy aims to ensure that all pupils are given the support, guidance and resources to enable them to achieve their full potential.

School Term Dates 2009 - 2010

Term Autumn 2009

Mid term Holidays Begins Ends

Term Begins Term Ends st

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Term Begins Term Ends th

Tuesday 1 September

Friday 23 October

Monday 26 October

Friday 30 October

Monday 2nd November

Friday 18th December

Spring 2010

Monday 4th January

Friday 12th February

Monday 15th February

Friday 19th February

Monday 22nd February

Thursday 1st April

Summer 2010

Monday 19th April

Friday 28th May

Monday 31st May

Friday 4th June Monday 7th June

Wednesday 21st July

INSET Days

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Tuesday 1 & Wednesday 2 September 2009 Monday 2 November 2009 Monday January 4 2010 Friday March 26 2010

As a community school wholly maintained by the City and County of Swansea we follow the admissions policy of the Local Education Authority. Guidance can be obtained from County Hall.

Open evenings and open mornings are arranged during the year for those considering Dylan Thomas as their choice of school, should you wish to visit the school at any other time please contact us to make a mutually convenient appointment.

Please note an additional two INSET days are yet to be confirmed

THE SCHOOL’S CHARGING AND REMISSION POLICY

School Day Times Morning Registration

Most education is free, but there are some charges. Educational visits and activities covering all aspects of the curriculum will be organised to take place largely during school hours and will involve

8.40*

Lesson 1

8.55

Lesson 2

9.55

BREAK

* Buzzer will go off 5 minutes before

11.10

Lesson 4

12.10

LUNCH

1.10 - 2.00

Afternoon Registration

2.00 - 2.05*

Lesson 5

voluntary contributions to fund such projects.

No child will be excluded from educational activities simply upon the basis of non contribution, but at

10.55*

Lesson 3

End of school day

all pupils. However, each visit/ event may be dependent upon our ability to attract adequate

the same time cancellation of visits may result from lack of funds.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY:

registration, lesson 3

At Dylan Thomas Community School we give high priority to the health, safety, security and well being

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of all our pupils and staff. Our Health & Safety Committee meets regularly to discuss and raise awareness of good practice in this area.

2.05 - 3.05 3.05

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The whole school, internally and externally, is covered by Closed Circuit Television Cameras for the safety and security of all.